Electronic guide system, contents server for electronic guide system, portable electronic guide device, and information processing method for electronic guide system

ABSTRACT

Tour guide contents stored in a tour guide apparatus carried by a user at a tour destination are provided with points of interest information and map data. This information includes latitude and longitude information for the site of each point of interest, and information on the providers of the information and the categories of information. The latitude and longitude information is provided for each site in relation to map data. By matching these pieces of latitude and longitude information to the map data, points of interest information can be laid out on the map and displayed. This makes it possible to select interesting site information to be displayed on the map based on the information provider, for example, points of interest information provided by provider A for restaurants and another set of information provided by provider B for hotels.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.10/632,871, filed on Aug. 1, 2003, which claims priority from JapaneseApplication No. 2002-227799, filed on Aug. 5, 2002, the disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus,and, for example, to an electronic guide apparatus which can customizeon a server, beforehand, contents such as tour guide contents stored inthe electronic guide apparatus used by a user while traveling.

When making preparations for travel or a tour, it is usual to buy aplurality of tour guidebooks, destination maps, and a collection ofconversations in the local language (in case of an overseas tour) andthe like, and tour plans are made accordingly. Planning items aresightseeing places, shopping places, restaurants for dining, hotels forstay, and transportation among these destinations. This information iskept in a tour guidebook by writing memos, and folding down corners ofparticular pages of the guidebook containing key information. Recently,however, it has become popular to collect tour information through anelectronic tour guidebook and the Internet.

At the travel destination, while carrying a host of tour guidebooks andmaps, the traveler enjoys sightseeing tours, scenery, architecture, andfood according to the tour plan made beforehand. Further, depending onthe local circumstances, the traveler may visit places not listed in thetour plan and carry out a tour in a manner not originally planned. As aresult, the tour plan is changed with reference to the tour guidebook,and other related items.

Nevertheless, a conventional tour entails the following problems. Inmaking up a tour plan, it is necessary to purchase a plurality of tourguidebooks, maps, and other necessary items and compare them with oneanother, thus calling for considerable work. Moreover, at thedestination, the traveler has to carry heavy guidebooks containing muchinformation having no bearing on his/her interest, as well as bulkymaps, making a tour of the destination while flipping through thesematerials.

In light of these circumstances, the present invention meets a need toprovide an information processing apparatus which can help the travelerenhance the value of a tour.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A guide system according to the present invention for meeting such aneed is a guide system for generating guide contents from siteinformation, contents information and information on information sourcesattached to the site information. The system includes a terminal; acontents server connectable to the terminal by a network; and a portabledevice to be carried by the user. The terminal has information settingmeans for setting a combination of the information on informationsources and the contents information, and information transmitting meansfor transmitting information specifying the set combination to thecontents server. The contents server includes information receivingmeans for receiving the information transmitted by the informationtransmitting means, site information focusing means for narrowing downthe site information using the received information, guide contentsgenerating means for generating guide contents using the narrowed downsite information, and guide contents output means for outputting thegenerated guide contents. The portable device has guide contentsacquisition means for acquiring the output guide contents, and contentsutilizing means for using the acquired guide contents.

Further, a contents server according to the present invention foraccomplishing the above-mentioned need generates guide contents fromsite information, information on information sources, and contentsinformation. The server includes information acquisition means foracquiring information specifying a combination of the information oninformation sources and the contents information; site informationfocusing means for narrowing down the site information using theacquired information; guide contents generating means for generatingguide contents using the narrowed down site information; and guidecontents output means for outputting the generated guide contents.

Still further, the site information may include site positionalinformation, and the guide contents generating means may generate theguide contents using map data, the map data including positionalinformation on a map for each site. The guide contents generating meansmay lay out and display the site information on the map by matching thesite positional information to the positional information on the map.

Furthermore, the contents generation means may include user informationacquisition means for acquiring user information created by the user,wherein the guide contents generating means generates the guide contentsby relating the acquired user information with the site information.

Moreover, according to the present invention, there is provided aportable device which utilizes information on information sources,contents information, and site information including positionalinformation specifying a position of a site. The device includesinformation acquisition means for acquiring information specifying acombination of the information on information sources and the contentsinformation; focusing means for narrowing down the site informationusing the acquired information; matching means for matching thepositional information included with the site information to positionalinformation on a map for each site to produce a map/site match for eachsite; and display means for displaying the site information on the mapusing the narrowed down site information and the map/site match for eachsite. The display means may display the site information on the mapusing an icon corresponding to the site information. Further, thedisplay means may display the site information corresponding to theicon.

Still further, it is possible to provide an information processingmethod for implementing the above-mentioned functions, an informationprocessing system for implementing the above-mentioned functions, and acomputer-readable storage medium recorded with an information processingprogram for implementing the above-mentioned functions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention as well as otherobjects and advantages thereof, reference is made to the followingdetailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a tour guidesystem according to a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 2A-2D are diagrams schematically showing information stored ineach database;

FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing a construction of tour guidecontents;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware-like configurationof a contents server;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware-like configurationof a user terminal;

FIG. 6 is an example of a hardware configuration of an electronic guideapparatus;

FIG. 7 is an example of a file construction of tour guidebook contentsstored in a memory medium;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing POI information;

FIG. 9 is an example showing the external appearance of an electronicguide apparatus;

FIG. 10 is an example of a guide screen;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart explaining a registration process in a contentsserver;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart explaining a process of previewing the tour guidecontents;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart explaining a process of customizing the tourguide contents;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart explaining a process of downloading the tourguide contents;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart explaining a process of uploading tour recordinformation;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a preview screen;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a customized screen;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of setting a route on acustomized screen;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of an album page;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a network constructionaccording to a variation of the invention;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a BBS (Bulletin Board System)inserted on a community server;

FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a tourguide system according to a second preferred embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a screen to be displayed when the useruploads tour record information to a contents server;

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a logical construction of POIinformation;

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a selection page forselecting information providers;

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of an advertising page;

FIGS. 27A-27B are diagrams explaining conceptually a case of selectivelydisplaying POI information of different information providers on a guidescreen; and

FIG. 28 is a flowchart explaining a process of selectively displaying anicon per information provider.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments according to the present invention will now be described indetail below by referring to the accompanying drawings. A tour guidesystem of the present preferred embodiment in FIG. 1 can provide variousbeneficial services to a traveler (hereinafter referred to as the user)before, during, and after a tour.

Before Tour

From a user terminal 3, the user can customize and preview on a contentsserver 2 tour guide contents installed on an electronic guide apparatus10 to be carried to a travel destination. The tour guide contents aregenerated using guide information and user information. The guideinformation includes, for example, information and programs prepared bythe tour guide dealer based on local map data, such as POI (Place OfInterest) information (site information) for places of interest (sitesconnected with places as mentioned in sightseeing information andrestaurant information). User information is information prepared by theuser, such as memo information, favorite registrations, and routesetting. It is information added to the guide information by the user.

Tour guide information is prepared for each travel destination, such asHawaii and Rome. In addition, it is classified according to the user'staste, such as a basic course, gourmet course, and golf course. The usercan select whatever he/she likes from these. As user informationcorresponding to the POI information of a restaurant, for example, theuser can jot down the memo information “Lunch Here!”. In this way, byselecting tour guide information and creating user information, the usercan customize the tour guide contents for his/her own use.

When previewing the tour guide contents, there is displayed on the userterminal 3 the same preview screen as displayed on the electronic guideapparatus 10, while it is also possible to carry out the same operationsperformed on the electronic guide apparatus 10 artificially with respectto the displayed tour guide contents, thereby enabling the user topractice the tour guide contents operations on the electronic guideapparatus 10 through the user terminal 3 by previewing the tour guidecontents on the user terminal 3.

The customized tour guide contents are downloaded by the contents server2 to a business terminal 4 of a tour guide dealer (vendor of tour guidecontents) and stored in a memory medium 9. The memory medium 9 includesa memory card, such as a semiconductor memory device, which is mountedto the electronic guide apparatus 10. The tour guide dealer forwards thememory medium 9 which stores the tour guide contents to an airportcounter 8.

At the airport counter 8, the counter clerk attaches the memory medium 9to the electronic guide apparatus 10, and rents it to the user togetherwith a GPS 11. This provides the user with a rental of the electronicguide apparatus 10 and the tour guide contents stored in the memorymedium 9. The user can use the tour guide contents customized by theuser by carrying the electronic guide apparatus 10 at the destination.

A display unit to present the contents to the user, various keys toinput character information, and a digital still camera for taking inimage information are built in the electronic guide apparatus 10.Further, the electronic guide apparatus 10 and the GPS 11 are capable ofradio communication, and the electronic guide apparatus 10 can receivepositional information on the current position (measured positionalinformation in latitude and longitude, and height may be included) fromthe GPS 11.

During Tour

During the tour the user moves around while carrying the electronicguide apparatus 10 (with the memory medium 9 already attached) and theGPS 11 at the travel destination. The user can make use of the tourguide contents on the electronic guide apparatus 10, acquiring toursupport information such as a local map, POI information, memoinformation, current site display, and display of a best route to thedestination. The current location is displayed in terms of positionalinformation transmitted from the GPS 11.

Attached to each site on the map is its positional information, whilethe POI information has the positional information of the site attachedthereto. Hence, the electronic guide apparatus 10 can lay out anddisplay the POI information on the map by matching it with thepositional information. For example, it is possible to display the siteof a certain restaurant on the map with an icon showing the POIinformation thereof. Further, selecting this icon makes it possible todisplay detailed information on the restaurant.

Still further, the electronic guide apparatus 10 receives the user'spositional information via radio at a preset time interval (for example,0.1 sec.), and this is stored in the memory medium 9 as the user'saction history, together with the receiving time. By plotting this onthe map, it is possible to know a route (track) followed by the userduring the tour. Furthermore, the user can jot down in the electronicguide apparatus 10 memo information during the tour, such as “A goodsteak in this restaurant!”, as well as a tour diary. Data input by theuser during the tour is stored in the memory medium 9 as tour recordinformation.

Moreover, when an object is shot by a digital camera built in theelectronic guide apparatus 10, the shooting time is recorded in terms ofthe day, hour, minute, and second (in addition to year) together withpicture image data. The picture image data is also stored in the memorymedium 9 as tour record information. By matching this shooting timeinformation to the time data contained in the above-mentioned actionhistory, the shooting site of the picture image data taken by thedigital camera can be identified.

The information added by the user during the tour, such as picture imagedata and tour memo information, is stored in the memory medium 9 as tourrecord information.

After Tour

Upon arrival at the airport, the user returns all rental equipment (theelectronic guide apparatus 10 and the GPS 11) to the airport counter 8.This means that the tour guide contents on rental to the user are alsoreturned. The counter clerk removes the memory medium 9 from theelectronic guide apparatus 10 and ships it to the tour guide dealer.

Upon receiving the memory medium 9 from the airport counter 8, the tourguide dealer extracts the tour record information and uploads it to thecontents server 2. The action history is also included in this tourrecord information.

The contents server 2, using the received tour record information,creates a web page called “Album of Memories.” On this album page arelaid out pictures taken by the user at the shooting sites on the map ofthe area in which the user traveled. Further, the memo informationduring the tour may be affixed onto the map. By browsing the album pagesthrough the user terminal 3, the user can look back on the tour.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below.A case of supporting the user during an overseas tour is provided as anexample, but the present invention is not limited to this case. It maybe configured to guide the user, be it a domestic tour, an overseas tourof a foreigner, appreciation of an event, watching or viewing, orvisiting.

First Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of a tour guidesystem according to a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. The tour guide system includes a user terminal 3, a contentsserver 2, a business terminal 4, and rental equipment (a memory medium9, an electronic guide apparatus 10, and a GPS 11).

The user terminal 3 and the business terminal 4, by using, for example,a predetermined protocol such as TCP/IP (Transmission ControlProtocol/Internet Protocol), are able to communicate with the contentsserver 2 via the Internet.

The contents server 2 comprises registration means 32 for registeringthe user, authentication means 33 for authenticating the user,preview/customizing means 34 for previewing and customizing the tourguide contents, and album creation means 35 for creating an album ofmemories. The contents server 2 is managed by the tour guide dealer, andis designed to enable the tour guide dealer to read and manage allinformation stored therein.

The registration means 32 is means for registering the user as a personusing the tour guide system. Because the contents server 2 provides thetour guide contents customized per user, the tour guide contents need tobe managed per user. Consequently, the contents server 2 providesservices to pre-registered users.

When the user makes a new registration, the contents server 2 transmitsto the user terminal 3 a personal information input page for inputting aname and other personal information and a rental information page forinputting the tour guide contents as well as the departure date and timeto be used. The registration means 32 receives from the user terminal 3the user information (additional user information) input by the userinto these pages and stores it in a member database 41, thus enablingthe user registration to be executed.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an example of the user informationstored in the member database 41. The user information essentiallycomprises a user ID, a password, personal information and rentalinformation.

The user ID is what the registration means 32 gives uniquely to eachuser. Since the user ID is presented to the user at the user terminal 3,the user keeps a record of it. The password is what is set by the userto log-in the contents server 2. Thereafter, each user is able to beauthenticated by the user ID and password.

The personal information is composed of information such as a user'sname, an e-mail address, a telephone number, an address, sex, date ofbirth, a credit card type and number, and a limit of amount covered bythe credit card. On the other hand, the rental information includesinformation such as a guide information ID, a departure date, a returndate and a flight name and number.

The guide information ID is information to specify the guide informationselected from among a variety of guide information made available. Aswill be explained below, the guide information is prepared perdestination, and depending on the content, it is further divided intocourses and stored in a guide information database 42. At the time ofbecoming a member, the user can select guide information using therental information input page. The guide information ID is attached tothe guide information selected by the user. Further, the selected guideinformation can be changed later.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of an example of the data compositionstored in the guide information database 42. The guide information isdivided into destinations such as Hawaii and Rome, and is stored. Eachdestination is further divided into segments such as General Course,Golf Course, Shopping Course, and Gourmet Course. Each segment isassigned a single guide information ID.

By selecting the guide information matching the user's destination andtaste, the user can customize the guide information for his/her own use.Conventionally, information that has no bearing on the user is carriedwith the tour guidebook, but, in the present embodiment, necessaryinformation may be selectively customized for the user.

The guide information essentially comprises a variety of information tosupport a user's tour, such as commentary information (information on atarget facility, place, and the like), picture image data information(maps, photos and the like), basic local information (information on thedestination, weather near the target facility and the place, atransportation guide, and how to make a call in the case of overseasdestinations), language information (information on the language used atthe destination, conversation examples, a dictionary and the like),information on sights, and the POI information (site information onhotels, restaurants, shops and the like).

These items of the guide information are made into a database in termsof text, picture image data (still pictures, animated pictures, maps andthe like), map data, and POI format. Of these items of guideinformation, information regarding the position is added with positionalinformation in latitude and longitude, so that it can be made tocorrespond to data having other positional information.

For example, positional information is added to each site on the map,and also positional information on the site is provided to the POIinformation. Consequently, by matching positional information of a mapto the positional information of the POI, the POI information of the POIcan be laid out on the POI site on the map. The POI information can belaid out, for example, by using an icon made to correspond to the POIinformation.

Returning to FIG. 1, authentication means 33 is means to authenticatethe user that gains access from the user terminal 3. The authenticationmeans 33 executes authentication by comparing the user ID and passwordinput by the user into a login page with the user ID and passwordregistered in the member database 41. Further, the authentication means33 confirms the user's login when the user is authenticated, and whenthe user is not authenticated, the user's login is rejected.

Preview/customizing means 34 is a functional unit for providing thefunction of previewing the tour guide contents and the function ofcustomizing the tour guide contents. The preview/customizing means 34transmits a preview page or a customized page to the user terminal 3 asselected by the user. Using these pages, the user can preview orcustomize his/her own tour guide contents. In this way, thepreview/customizing means 34 constitutes contents generation means.

First, the customizing function will be described. On the customizedpage, the user can write memo information with respect to the POI,register important POI information as a favorite, or preset a tourroute. The preview/customizing means 34 stores this information set bythe user in the user information database 43 as user information.

FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram of an example of the user informationstored in the user information database 43. Each of the user informationis so laid out that it can be searched with the user ID of the user whocreated it as a key.

The user information is composed of information input and set by theuser, such as memo information, registered favorite information, androute setting information. The memo information is what is written withrespect to a specific POI, such as “This shop is a must to see!” and,for example, information gathered by the user, word-of-mouthinformation, information obtained from his/her friends and the like areadded in the memo format.

Although not illustrated, information matching the memo information tothe POI information is stored either in the memo information or the POIinformation, or in a matching information database which collects suchmatching information. By using the matching information, when the POIinformation is displayed on the electronic guide apparatus 10, it ispossible to display the memo information matching the POI together withthe POI information.

Further, the memo information is not limited to text data, and pictureimage data such as a photo also can be input as memo information.Furthermore, the memo information can be constructed so that informationnot related to any specific POI, such as “This day is a nationalholiday”, can be jotted down.

Registered favorite information is important pieces of the POIinformation which are registered as favorites. As will be explainedlater, the POI information registered as a favorite is shown on thescreen, for example, with a favorite registered mark that appears as ifthe tip of a top corner of a page is folded to make it identifiable fromother POI information, and only the POI information registered as afavorite can be displayed there. Further, the registered favoriteinformation can be so set up that it is not to be stored in the userinformation database 43 as user information, but rather to be directlywritten into the POI information within the guide information.

Route setting information is information of a plurality of routes from adeparture site to a destination site preset on a map. Presetting theroute in this way will make it unnecessary to search the best route uponarrival at the site, so the user can start a tour there without delay.Furthermore, when traveling in a group, for example, if a tour schedulefor the group is set, the schedule of group action can be shared withthe electronic guide apparatus 10 of each group member.

The preview/customizing means 34, in addition to offering a function forthe user to customize the tour guide contents as mentioned above, has acontents creation function for creating and transmitting the tour guidecontents to the business terminal 4 using the guide information selectedby the user and the user information set by the user.

To be more specific, the preview/customizing means 34 searches the guideinformation selected by the user as well as the user information set bythe user, with the user ID as a key, by means of the guide informationdatabase 42 and the user information database 43, and the resultsobtained are integrated into one unit of the tour guide contents togenerate tour guide contents for the use of the user. The tour guidecontents generated by the preview/customizing means 34 are written intothe memory medium 9 through the business terminal 4.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the composition of the tour guidecontents. As illustrated, the tour guide contents are composed byintegrating the guide information and the user information into one unitof contents. Note that, although not illustrated, control software to beused for matching the guide information to the user information isincluded in the tour guide contents.

Next, a preview function will be described. Use of the preview functionmakes it possible to make a simulated use, on the user terminal 3, ofthe tour guide contents which the user customized in the same manner asthe tour guide contents is used by operating the electronic guideapparatus 10 at the destination. When the user transmits from the userterminal 3, for example, a command (information to be used) to flip apage, a program for using the tour guide contents on the contents server2 side (program to be used) is executed, a result thereof beingtransmitted to the user terminal 3. In this manner, the user canpractice, prior to starting a tour, how to use the tour guide contentsfor his/her use.

The preview/customizing means 34 stores an operating history of the userutilizing the preview/customizing means 34 as a log file per user.Further, the preview/customizing means 34, when the user requests apreview page or customized page, refers to the log file, generates apreview page or a customized page in the latest condition for use of theuser, and transmits it to the user terminal 3.

In this manner, because the preview/customizing means 34 is designed togenerate a web page per user, each user virtually has a web pageexclusively for his/her use on the contents server 2, whereby, forexample, after the user suspends editing work and logs out, should theuser again log in to the contents server 2, it is possible to continuecustomizing or previewing from where the work was suspended.

Album creation means 35 (FIG. 1) acquires tour record information fromthe business terminal 4 and stores it in the tour record informationdatabase 44. Then, when there is an album page transmission request fromthe user terminal 3, the tour record information stored therein is usedto generate the album page which is transmitted to the user terminal 3.

The album page is a web page where a photo taken by the user is affixedon a shooting site on the map of a user's tour area or memo informationduring the tour, such as “Good coffee served here!”, is affixed on acoffee shop position on the map, or the user's track is illustrated witha map. The album creation means 35 consists essentially of picture imagedata acquisition means, map data acquisition means, shooting positionspecifying means for specifying a shooting position of a picture imageon the map, and layout means to lay out a picture image on the map.

FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram showing an example of the tour recordinformation stored in the tour record information database 44. The tourrecord information is segmented by the user ID per user. As illustrated,the tour record information includes action history, picture image data,and memo information during a period of the tour. It is the informationaccumulated in the memory medium 9 during the period of the tour.

Among this plurality of information, the memo information during thetour is memo information jotted down by the user with respect to the POIduring the tour, and as the tour record information, it maybe socomposed that in addition to this, a tour diary and the like may begenerated.

The album creation means 35 (FIG. 1) specifies a site where pictureimage data is shot by matching a shooting time attached to the pictureimage data to the time information included in the action history. Thealbum creation means 35 arranges the corresponding picture image data onthe map on the shooting site.

Further, by the album creation means 35, the user may be able to editthe album page, such as by adding a picture image or writing text on themap.

As will be explained later, in the present preferred embodiment, thetour guide contents are composed of the guide information and the userinformation as separate files, so that the guide information can beupdated to incorporate the latest information without changing the userinformation. Namely, if management by the contents server 2 is carriedout so that the guide information becomes the latest information,downloading of the tour guide contents from the business terminal 4 tothe memory medium 9 makes it possible to download the latest guideinformation. Further, even after downloading the tour guide contents tothe memory medium 9, it is possible to change only the guide informationwithout changing the user information.

Also, a composition such as combining plural kinds of guide information,for example, using the gourmet course and the golf course as guideinformation, can be performed. Moreover, it maybe so composed that thePOI information is individually selected to customize the guideinformation.

Further, it may be so composed that the guide information can be edited,for example, as follows. Namely, as the guide information, a pluralityof information sources (information generated based on a tour guidebookby publisher A, information generated based on a tour guidebook bypublisher B and the like) may be available and the information sourcesare selected per item (publisher A's information for restaurants,publisher B's information for hotels and the like).

Still further, in the present preferred embodiment, as an example, theregistration means 32, the authentication means 33, thepreview/customizing means 34, and the album creation means 35 areconstituted within one contents server 2. However, it is not limited tothis example. For instance, a combination of a plurality of server unitsmay be used to constitute a tour guide system as follows. Namely, theregistration means 32 and the authentication means 33 may be realized byan authentication server, while the preview/customizing means 34 mayberealized by a contents generation server. Furthermore, the system can beso constituted that browsing of the web by means of the user terminal 3can be arranged to be performed from the web server, wherein the webserver and the contents server 2 are connected so as to mutually updatethe information.

The user terminal 3 (FIG. 1) may comprise, for example, a terminal unitsuch as a personal computer capable of connecting to the Internet 5.Only one user terminal 3 is shown in the drawing, but any arbitrarynumber of terminals may be set up.

The user terminal 3 is provided with a browser, hence, each pagetransmitted from the contents server 2 (a personal information inputpage, a rental information input page, a customizing page, a previewpage and the like) may be shown on the display by the browser. Further,the data (the personal information, the rental information and the like)input from each page by the user through the browser may also betransmitted to the contents server 2 from the user terminal 3.

Each page transmitted by the contents server 2 to the user terminal 3 isdescribed by a prescribed markup language, for example, HTML (Hyper TextMarkup Language) or XML (extensible Markup Language). The browserinterprets a file described by any of these languages and shows a webpage on the display.

The business terminal 4 is a terminal unit having write means to writethe tour guide contents customized by the user on the memory medium 9and tour record information extracting means for extracting the tourrecord information from the memory medium 9 after the tour andtransmitting it to the contents server 2. The configuration of thebusiness terminal 4 is basically the same as the user terminal 3, andcomprises a terminal unit such as a personal computer capable ofconnecting to the Internet 5.

When downloading the tour guide contents, the user ID of the user whocustomized the tour guide contents is transmitted from the businessterminal 4 to the contents server 2. Then, in the contents server 2, thepreview/customizing means 34 generates customized tour guide contentsfor the user and transmits them to the business terminal 4. Such tourguide contents are written by the business terminal 4 into the memorymedium 9 and rented to the user in the form of the memory medium 9attached to the electronic guide apparatus 10 at the airport counter 8.Further, for rental service providing places, in addition to the airportcounter of a tour agent, counters of transportation companies and creditcard companies can be used. Furthermore, home delivery services may beused to ship directly to the user, or counters of tour agents in townand convenience shops may also be used.

The memory medium 9 is a memory card packed with a semiconductor memorydevice therein, and, for example, may be a Memory Stick (registeredtrademark). This semiconductor memory device is a nonvolatile read/writesemiconductor memory, requiring no power source to hold a memorycontent. As a result, it can be made small in the shape of a chip. Thememory medium 9 is frequently used for holding programs or data on adesktop PC, a notebook PC, a PDA, a digital camera, a video camera andthe like.

It should be noted that the memory medium 9 is not limited to asemiconductor memory device. Any read/write memory medium may beemployed, such as a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk,a flexible magnetic disk, and a magnetic tape.

The airport counter 8 is a window for renting the rental equipment 15 toand collecting it from the user. For example, it may be set up in amerchandise sales space of a tour agent in a tie-in with a tour guidedealer. At the airport counter 8, the rental equipment 15 is rented tothe user. Further, when renting the electronic guide apparatus 10 to theuser, the electronic guide apparatus 10 should be tied to the memorymedium 9 with a string. This makes it possible to maintain a salesmethod in which the ownership right of the contents is held by the tourguide dealer, while the ownership right of the electronic guideapparatus 10 is held by the tour agent.

The rental equipment 15 essentially comprises the electronic guideapparatus 10 mounted with the memory medium 9 and the GPS 11. Theelectronic guide apparatus 10 is a small electronic device, such as aPDA, which the user can carry at the destination, and while beingcarried, it is driven by a battery cell mounted therein.

A PDA is a computer made small enough to be held by one hand so as tomanage personal information or execute prescribed informationprocessing. The PDA generally has a PIM (Personal Information Manager)function, such as electronic schedule management, electronic addressmanagement, electronic memo notebook, and action list management.

In addition to the PIM function, the electronic guide apparatus 10,details of which will be explained later, has a browser to show the tourguide contents on its display unit, a GPS signal receiving function, abuilt-in camera (digital camera) and the like.

Further, the electronic guide apparatus 10 has a slot for installing andejecting the memory medium 9, and mounts the memory medium 9 as aconstituting element of the electronic guide apparatus 10 by insertingthe memory medium 9 in the slot.

Further, the electronic guide apparatus 10 can provide to the user eachfunction offered by the tour guide contents stored in the memory medium9 (a map display, a guide information display, a best route search, acurrent position display, a display of a conversation example, a memoinformation display and the like), while at the same time storing in thememory medium 9 the user's action history as well as the tour recordinformation, such as picture image data taken by the user with thebuilt-in camera and memo information input by the user during the tourfrom the electronic guide apparatus 10.

Further, the electronic guide apparatus 10, being equipped with anantenna for radio communications, can conduct radio communications withthe GPS 11. The electronic guide apparatus 10 receives positionalinformation on the current position from the GPS 11 at a prescribed timeinterval and stores it in the memory medium 9, together with the currenttime, as the action history.

In the present preferred embodiment, the electronic guide apparatus 10is configured as a separate unit from the GPS 11, whereas these twounits may be configured as one integral unit. It should be noted thatconfiguring the electronic guide apparatus 10 separately from the GPS 11gives longer battery life to the electronic guide apparatus 10 and theGPS 11.

The GPS 11 is a device for receiving GPS signals from a GPS satelliteand calculating from the received GPS signals information on the currentposition and the current time. As used herein, the GPS (GlobalPositioning System) refers to a global position measuring system. It isa system of analyzing signals transmitted from a plurality of artificialsatellites circling around a trajectory at a height of 20,000 km andcalculating the latitude and longitude, height, current time and thelike of the current position. Further, the calculation of the currentposition by means of the GPS is performed using any of the followingthree methods: a calculation in terms of the autonomous GPS based onlyon information from the GPS satellites; a calculation in terms of thenetwork-based GPS by acquiring positional information of a plurality ofbase stations on the ground; and a network-assisted calculation byrespectively calculating distances from the GPS satellites and thepositions from the base stations to enhance positional accuracy. The GPS11 can be configured to handle all of these methods.

Action history essentially comprises positional information and timeinformation. However, it maybe so configured that both the positionalinformation and the time information from the GPS are transmitted to theelectronic guide apparatus 10, or that the GPS 11 transmits only thepositional information, while the time information is provided by theelectronic guide apparatus 10.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware based configurationof the contents server 2. The contents server 2 comprises a control unit20, a communication control unit 21, an input/output unit 22, a memoryunit 23, and a bus line 26 mediating transmission and reception ofsignals and data among these functional units.

The control unit 20 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), aROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory) and the like.

The CPU reads a program and executes various information processingaccording to procedures stipulated by the program. The ROM, being a readonly memory medium, stores a basic program and parameters for operatingthe contents server 2.

The RAM, essentially comprising a plurality of memory devices providedwith addresses, is a random access memory which, by designating anaddress, can read data to and write data from the address. The RAMprovides a working area when the CPU executes a program. The controlunit 20 having the above-mentioned configuration executes variousinformation processing and control operations of the entire contentsserver 2.

The communication control unit 21 is a device such as a modem forconnecting the contents server 2 to the Internet 5. The communicationcontrol unit 21 is controlled by the control unit 20, carrying outcommunication with terminal units such as the user terminal 3 and thebusiness terminal 4. The communication control unit 21 representsinput/output means for performing data input/output with the userterminal 3 and the business terminal 4. It is constituted by guideinformation transmitting means, additional user information receivingmeans, contents output means, information for use receiving means(commands from the user terminal 3 in preview) and the like.

The input/output unit 22 is composed of, for example, an output device,such as a display and a printer, and an input device, such as a keyboardand a mouse. These devices are used, for example, when a manager of thecontents server 2 manages and maintains the contents server 2.

The memory unit 23 is, for example, a memory device constituted by ahard disk and the like which can perform a large amount of read/writeoperations. A program storage unit 24 and a data storage unit 25 areprovided in the memory unit 23 in which various programs and data arestored.

In the program storage unit 24, there are stored a server program tomake the contents server 2 fully perform a server function (to transmita prescribed web page to the user terminal 3 and the business terminal 4in response to web page transmission requests from these terminaldevices), an OS (Operating System) which is a basic program foroperating the contents server 2, such as memory control including a RAMand file input/output control, and a tour guide contents providingprogram to make the control unit 20 demonstrate its tour guide contentsproviding function.

By the execution of the tour guide contents providing program by the CPUof the control unit 20, each of the functional units shown in FIG. 1,such as the registration means 32, the authentication means 33, thepreview/customizing means 34, and the album creation means 35, isconstituted in a software based manner.

In the data storage unit 25, there are stored the member database 41,the guide information database 42, the user information database 43, thetour record information database 44 and other data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware based configurationof the user terminal 3. The user terminal 3 is configured by connectingperipheral equipment, such as a display unit 64, a mouse 66, a keyboard68, a communication control unit 72, a memory unit 78, a memory mediumdrive unit 76, and a input/output interface (I/F) 74, to a control unit56 via a bus line 73. The bus line 73 mediates control signals and datasignals transmitted and received between the control unit 56 and theperipheral equipment.

The control unit 56 comprises a CPU 58, a ROM 60, a RAM 62 and the like.The control unit 56 is driven by a prescribed program, executes variousinformation processing and controls the operation of the entire userterminal 3. In the present preferred embodiment, using a preview pageand a customized page downloaded from the contents server 2, the controlunit 56 demonstrates functions to preview and customize the tour guidecontents and to read an album page.

The information processing function and the control function of thecontrol unit 56 come into full play through the CPU 58. The CPU 58 has amemory unit called “register,” which reads a program from the ROM 60 andthe RAM 62 and executes it.

The ROM 60 is a read only memory storing various programs, data andparameters for the CPU 58 to perform various arithmetic operations andcontrol. Although the CPU 58 can read programs, data, and parametersfrom the ROM 60, it does not rewrite or delete them.

The RAM 62 is a random access memory accessed by the CPU 58 as a workingmemory. The CPU 58 can write programs and data in the RAM 62 and deletethem therefrom. In the present preferred embodiment, it is possible tosecure an area in the RAM 62 in order to preview or customize the tourguide contents, or browse an album page.

The keyboard 68 essentially comprises keys to input Japanese kana andEnglish letters, numeric keys to input numerals, various functionalkeys, a cursor key and other keys. From the keyboard, the user can, forexample, input the user ID and password and write memo information on acustomized page.

The mouse 66 is a pointing device. When operating the user terminal 3using a GUI (Graphical User Interface), a pointer that movesaccompanying the movement of the mouse is shown on the display unit 64.By moving the mouse on the desktop to match the pointer to any of thebuttons or icons displayed on the display unit 64 and clicking the mousebutton, various operations corresponding to these buttons and the iconscan be performed.

The display unit 64 essentially comprises, for example, a CRT (CathodeRay Tube) display, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display or thelike. On the display unit 64, there maybe displayed a preview page, acustomized page, an album page or the like.

The communication control unit 72 is a device for connecting the userterminal 3 to the Internet 5, and comprises a modem, a terminal adaptor,and other connection equipment. The user terminal 3 can communicate withthe contents server 2 by using the communication control unit 72. Thecommunication control unit 72 comprises guide information receivingmeans, additional user information transmitting means and the like.

The memory unit 78 is composed of a read/write memory medium and a driveunit for read/write programs and data therefor. A hard disk is mainlyused as the memory medium. In addition, it is possible to use otherread/write memory media, such as a magneto-optical disk, a magneticdisk, or a semiconductor memory, to constitute the memory unit 78.

A program storage unit 79 and a data storage unit 80 are set up in thememory unit 78. Various programs for execution by the CPU 58 are storedin the program storage unit 79, and various data is stored in the datastorage unit 80.

In the program storage unit 79, there are stored an OS which is a basicprogram for operating the user terminal 3, browser software fordisplaying a web page downloaded from the contents server 2, acommunication control program to control communications with thecontents server 2 by controlling the communication control unit 72 andthe like.

The memory medium drive unit 76 is a drive device for performing a dataread/write operation by driving a detachable memory medium. As thedetachable memory medium, there are, for example, a magneto-opticaldisk, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, a semiconductor memory, adata-punched paper tape, a CD-ROM or the like. Note that the CD-ROM andthe paper tape are capable of only a read operation.

The input/output interface (I/F) 74 comprises, for example, a serialinterface and an interface of other specification. By connecting anexternal apparatus corresponding to the interface with the input/outputinterface 74, the function of the user terminal may be expanded.

The hardware configuration of the business terminal 4 is basically thesame as the user terminal 3. The business terminal 4 has a memory mediumdrive unit capable of data read/write operations with respect to thememory medium 9, and the tour guide contents received from the contentsserver 2 can be written in the memory medium 9. In addition, the tourrecord information can be extracted from the memory medium 9 sent by theuser after the tour, and transmitted to the contents server 2. Further,it is possible to read and input from the business terminal 4 necessaryinformation, such as the personal information and the rentalinformation.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration ofthe electronic guide apparatus 10. The electronic guide apparatus 10essentially comprises a CPU 86, a wireless communication unit 81, a ROM90, a RAM 91, a display unit 92, a memory medium drive unit 87, an inputunit 93, and a built-in camera 94, all connected by a bus line 89.

The wireless communication unit 81 comprises a baseband processing unit84, an RF processing unit 83, and a wireless communication antenna 82,and receives positional information from the GPS 11. The wirelesscommunication unit 81 employs wireless techniques based on localwireless functions.

Wireless techniques based on local wireless functions include, forexample, wireless communication using a 2.4 GHz ISM (IndustrialScientific and Medical) band which is the same band used for wirelessLAN (WLAN) in accordance with the IEEE802.11 standard, such as directsequence spectrum (DSSS) wireless communication. Commonly known as BlueTooth, it is generally suited for transmitting data to other deviceswithin a distance of 10 m.

The electronic guide apparatus 10, when receiving the positionalinformation from the GPS 11, transmits a request signal to the GPS 11for requesting the positional information. The request signal istransmitted from the CPU 86 to the baseband processing unit 84, and isthen subjected to signal processing. Thereafter, it is placed on atransmission wave at the RF processing unit 83 and sent via wirelessfrom the antenna 82 to the GPS 11.

On the other hand, after positional information transmitted by wirelessfrom the GPS 11 is received by the wireless communication antenna 82, asignal is extracted by the RF processing unit 83, further subjected tosignal processing by the baseband processing unit 84, and conveyed tothe CPU 86. It should be noted that the wireless communication unit 81acquires the positional information from the GPS 11 at a prescribed timeinterval (for example, 0.1 sec.), and this is stored in the memorymedium 9 as action history. The wireless communication antenna 82essentially comprises measured position acquisition means and measuredtime acquisition means.

The CPU 86 performs various information processing and controls theelectronic guide apparatus 10 according to a host of programs stored inthe ROM 90 and other memory devices. The CPU 86 constitutes controlmeans for controlling the tour guide contents according to the controlsoftware. Further, the CPU 86 may constitute shooting positionspecifying means for specifying a shooting position of picture imagedata from the action history and shooting time of the picture imagedata.

The memory medium 9 is attached to the memory medium drive unit 87. Thisenables the CPU 86 to read/write data with respect to the memory medium9. To be more specific, the CPU 86 can read the tour guide contentsstored in the memory medium 9 and drive the control program included inthe tour guide contents and, further, write the tour record information(action history, picture image data, memo information during the tourand the like) in the memory medium 9. The memory medium 9 essentiallycomprises position time storage means, picture image data storage meansand the like.

The ROM 90 stores a program for operating the electronic guide apparatus10. For this kind of program, there are available programs such as an OSfor demonstrating basic functions, a browser to show the tour guidecontents, a built-in camera control program for controlling the built-incamera 94, a communication program for controlling radio communicationwith the GPS 11, and a Japanese kana/Chinese character conversionprogram for converting letters input by the user into Chinesecharacters.

It should be noted that in the present preferred embodiment, the controlsoftware (utilization program) for using the tour guide contents isincluded in the tour guide contents, however, this control software maybe made available in the ROM 90 in advance. In this case, it becomesunnecessary to include the control software in the tour guide contents.Further, other possible constitution methods include storing the controlsoftware in the RAM 91 or attaching a hard disk to the memory mediumdrive unit 87 to enable the control software to be stored therein.

The RAM 91 provides a working area for the CPU 86 to operate. Forexample, when driving the control software of the tour guide contents,receiving the positional information from the GPS 11, or taking apicture of an object with the built-in camera 94, the CPU 86 utilizesthe RAM 91 for temporarily holding data.

The display unit 92, being, for example, display means constituted by aliquid crystal display (LCD), displays screens provided by the tourguide contents. The contents to be displayed include picture images,photographs, guide information and user information in characters orimages. Further, the display unit 92 may have an input unit comprising atouch panel. The user, by touching elements displayed thereon by a touchpen or a fingertip, can input prescribed information into the electronicguide apparatus 10.

The input unit 93 is a functional unit which enables the user to inputinformation into the electronic guide apparatus 10, for example,including a key operation unit. From the key operation unit, the usercan input numerals and characters.

The built-in camera 94 is a digital camera composed of a shutter, alens, a CCD, a focus control unit and the like. The focus control unitis a functional unit measuring a distance to an object, adjusting a lensposition, and automatically adjusting focus. The CCD is a device forconverting an image of the object through the lens into electricsignals. In addition, iris setting is automatically performed. Thebuilt-in camera 94 comprises shooting means and shooting timeacquisition means.

When the user presses the shutter, an image on the CCD is converted toelectric signals, whereby the CPU 86 generates picture image data andstores the data in the memory medium 9. The electronic guide apparatus10 has a clock built therein, and the shooting time is added to thepicture image data in terms of day, hour, minute, and second. The dataon this shooting time is used later when creating an album page.Further, the picture image data may be so constructed that the data, inaddition to being directly stored in the memory medium 9, may be storedin the RAM 91 for subsequent batch processing to be performed forstorage in the memory medium 9.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a file composition of the tourguide contents stored in the memory medium 9. Under the layer of routedirectory are generated directories such as guide information directory101, user information directory 102, tour record information directory103, and program directory 104.

Then, under the guide information directory 101 are further generateddirectories such as POI directory 105, map directory 106, and controlsoftware directory 107. The POI information, such as restaurantinformation and hotel information, is stored in the POI directory 105.

Map data regarding the destination is stored in the map directory 106.In the present preferred embodiment, the map data is prepared in rastergraphics. It is also possible to constitute the map data in vectorgraphics.

Control software for controlling contents to be displayed on the displayunit 92 of the electronic guide apparatus 10 is stored in the controlsoftware directory 107. In this control software, the CPU 86 gives fullplay to a function to correspond certain information to one another, forexample, by linking the POI information stored in the POI directory 105and the map data stored in the map directory 106 to the user informationstored in the user information directory 102.

The CPU 86, using the control software, can display these items ofinformation on the display unit 92 by means of a GUI. Further, throughthe control software, it is possible to change the display contentsaccording to the user's input, such as displaying POI information andmemo information.

In this manner, according to the present preferred embodiment, it ispossible to manage the guide information as separate files according tothe content, such as POI information, map data and the like.Consequently, it is possible to update, for example, only the kind ofPOI information whose contents frequently change while keeping unchangedmap data subject to comparatively little change.

Under the user information directory 102 there are further generateddirectories such as memo information directory 110, registered favoriteinformation directory 111, and route information directory 112. The memoinformation created by the user is stored in the memo informationdirectory 110. If the memo information is connected to the guideinformation, the memo information includes information specifying theconnected guide information.

For the connected guide information, for example, there is POIinformation. By attaching information specifying the POI information ofthe connected party to the memo information, when the POI information isdisplayed, the memo information created for the POI can be displayed.Or, conversely, if information is attached specifying memo informationconnected to the POI information or a database storing a relationship ofconnection between the POI information and the memo information is madeavailable, the same effect can be achieved.

In the registered favorite information directory 111, there is storedinformation to specify the POI information registered as a favorite andthe like. Note that the registered favorite information may not becontrolled by the registered favorite information directory 111, but bygiving an identifier directly to the registered favorite POI informationand controlling it thereby. In the route information directory 112,there is stored data to display on the map a travel route preset by theuser.

Under the tour record information directory 103 there are furthergenerated directories such as picture image data directory 115, memoinformation during tour directory 116, and action history directory 117.In the picture image data directory 115, there is stored picture imagedata taken by the built-in camera 94. The picture image data is storedin a prescribed format, such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group).The system may be so formed that not only still pictures but movingpictures can be taken by the built-in camera 94.

In the memo information during tour directory 116, there is stored memoinformation during the tour input by the user while traveling. In theaction history directory 117, there is stored positional informationreceived from the GPS 11, together with the receiving time. By means ofthe action history directory 117, where the user was and when can bedetermined so as to specify the user's track during the tour.

In the program directory 104, there are stored application programs suchas a best route search program 118 to be used by the electronic guideapparatus 10. The best route search program 118 is a program which, whenthe user sets the destination, calculates the best route to thedestination from the current position (as acquired from positionalinformation of the GPS 11) and displays the calculated route on the map.

It should be pointed out that data connected to the position in whichthe memory medium 9 is stored (map data, POI information, memoinformation, action history and the like) is registered in a standardposition informational format, so that in addition to relating aplurality of contents with map data, positional information can beshared among a plurality of apparatus which can use the memory medium 9.As a result, it is possible to provide a service, for example, ofmediating positional information across the boundaries of a plurality ofapparatus, such as affixing picture image data taken by the built-incamera 94 onto the map of a computer.

When using a Memory Stick as the memory medium 9, because GLORIE (GlobalSite-related Information Exchange File Format) is defined as asite-related information exchange format, data exchanges can be simplyperformed by registering in this format.

Use of the common format facilitates the exchanging of data with otherapparatus by using an external recording medium such as the memorymedium 9. For example, when consulting with one's friend in advanceabout a tour, use of data in the common format makes it possible to seethe POI information in a way that fits one's own equipment by exchanginginformation through the memory medium 9, even despite having apparatusof mutually different types. Further, this can be reflected on the map.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example describing the POIinformation. In this drawing, the POI information is generated as anexample using XML. In FIG. 8, inside a tag indicating the POIinformation, a latitude(<lat>) tag and a longitude (<lon>) tag aredescribed surrounding a position (<pos>) tag. Further, the Statute ofKing Kamehameha is described in a name (<name>) tag, and commentaryinformation is described in an information (<information>) tag.

Furthermore, a link file (<linkfile>) tag is added to the POIinformation, in which a link to the user information is specified with<text herf=“ . . . /memo.txt”></text>. Consequently, it is possible todisplay, for example, the user information “strongly recommended!”recorded in a text file memo.txt created by the user. In this example,information to specify the memo information is written in the POIinformation.

Note that the invention is not limited to describing POI information inXML. Other computer languages may be used for description, such as HTML(Hypertext Markup Language).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of theelectronic guide apparatus 10. The electronic guide apparatus 10includes the display unit 92, a key operation unit 121, a lens 120, ashutter control 123, and the wireless communication antenna 82.

The display unit 92 can display a guide screen provided by the tourguide contents. In addition to showing display contents relating theguide information with the user information, a function such as showingthe current position on the map can be performed on the guide screen.Further, the display unit 92 is formed of a touch panel to enable theuser to change the display content by tapping an icon on the screen.

The key operation unit 121 is equipped with various keys includingnumeral/character keys, a space key, and function buttons to enable theuser to input various information, such as character information andcommands to execute programs, from the key operation unit 121.

The lens 120 is for capturing an object to be taken by the built-incamera 94. When the user presses down the shutter control 123, an imagecaptured by the lens 120 is stored in the memory medium 9 as pictureimage data. In the drawing, the lens 120 and the display unit 92 aredisposed on the same plane, but it may be so arranged that the lens 120is disposed on the opposite side of the electronic guide apparatus 10 soas to display an image captured by the lens 120 real-time on the displayunit 92. Such construction enables the user to press down the shuttercontrol 123 while confirming the image captured by the lens 120 with thedisplay unit 92.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged diagram showing an example of a guide screendisplayed on the display unit 92 of the electronic guide apparatus. Theuser can use the tour guide contents from the guide screen. The diagramrelates to a case in which the King Kamehameha Statue is selected forthe POI. A POI name 132 indicates the name of the POI selected. In thedrawing, the name is shown in English, but it may be shown in aplurality of languages such as “English name/local language name.”

A subtitle 133 indicates a subtitle. A favorite mark 145, when tapped,performs a toggle operation and registers the POI information as afavorite. Those registered as a favorite by the user terminal 3 are indefault. By performing the prescribed operation, the user can show onlythe POI information registered as favorites.

A major classification category of hotels, restaurants, and shops arerepresented by an icon which is shown in a category icon 131. When apage forward/backward button 146 is tapped, the displayed POIinformation can be turned to the next page POI information or returnedto the previous page. When a word-of-mouth button 134 is tapped,word-of-mouth information is displayed. The word-of-mouth informationis, for example, an electronic presentation of local informationconveyed by word of mouth from those who traveled to the destination.

When a how-to-get button 135 is tapped, information on how to get to thedestination is displayed. Also, the best route of getting to thedestination may be searched. This is made possible as the icon (iconshowing POI such as restaurants) on the destination of the map istapped, the CPU 86 calculates the best route from the current position(acquired from data through the GPS 11) to the destination and displaysit on the map.

In this manner, the electronic guide apparatus 10 can provide aso-called man-navigation function such as a vehicle navigation system.The man-navigation function refers to a technique of displaying the bestroute that enables a pedestrian to walk to where pedestrians can go.

For an algorithm calculating the best route from the current position tothe destination, an algorithm used for a vehicle navigational system isavailable. The man-navigation system can navigate the pedestrian to asite where cars cannot go but to which pedestrians can walk, forexample, a site in a landmark, a building in a theme park, or arestaurant in a shopping mall, or a site such as an outlet inside astore.

Further, the man-navigation system can navigate a route that cars cannotpass but pedestrians can, such as in a park, seacoast, a pedestrianoverpass, a station shopping complex, an underground road, and goingagainst a one-way street. Furthermore, it is possible to navigateavoiding a highway, a vehicle road, a dangerous zone having problems inpublic safety and the like.

It should be pointed out that the vehicle navigation system has the POIfor vehicles, such as service stations and family restaurants along atrunk road, while the electronic guide apparatus 10 has the POI mainlyfor pedestrians.

When a clock button 136 is tapped, a clock screen pops up, concurrentlydisplaying local time and Japan time, for example. An alarm can be setso that when the prescribed time is reached, the alarm goes off. Whenthe alarm is set, an icon of the clock button 136 changes its shape.

A symbol button 140 uses an icon to show “for family,” “for couples” andthe like or to express an evaluation. When a memo button 141 is tapped,a memo screen pops up, and it becomes possible to input memo informationduring the tour in connection with the POI currently selected. Also, amemo input prior to the tour can be read out. When a conversationexample button 142 is tapped, a conversation screen pops up, and anexample of conversation related to the POI information, such as how toorder food in the local language, is displayed in a local languagebearing a Japanese subtitle to show how to read it in Japanese.

When a detail button 143 is tapped, there pops up a detail displayscreen showing detailed information (commentary of a museum, a map andthe like) on the POI information currently displayed. When a photo 147is tapped, the photo is shown in an enlarged format. When there are aplurality of photos, the displayed photo is changed every few seconds.Further, it is possible to set up to show a list of thumbnail photos sothat the user can select a photo therefrom which is to be shown in anenlarged format. In an information area 150, there are available variousbuttons for displaying information related to POI, such as businesshours, regular days off, address, and ads. For example, when an adbutton 156 is tapped, an advertising page regarding the POI informationcurrently displayed pops up.

In a commentary field 144 there is displayed commentary on the POIinformation. When the commentary field 144 is tapped, commentary isdisplayed over the entire section below the POI name 132. When there aremany characters, scrolling can be applied by tapping a scroll bar 148.

A map is shown on a map window 153. When the user is in an area withinthe map displayed, a user's current position 155 obtained from the GPS11 is also displayed. Further, it is possible to add information showinga traveling direction in which the user is going or walking to thecurrent position 155. Still further, at the POI position currentlydisplayed on the map, an icon 154 is displayed. This is shown bymatching the positional information held by the POI information to thepositional information held by each site on the map. Furthermore, it ispossible by the user's choice to position at the center of the mapwindow 153 either the current position 155 or the icon 154 in the POIposition currently being displayed.

The icon on the POI is displayed, for example, in a form which makes itpossible to identify a category in which the POI is classified, such ashotels, stores, and restaurants.

When a zoom button 151 is tapped, the scale of the map displayed in themap window 153 can be changed. When a POI screen/map screen changeoverbutton 152 is tapped, it is possible to change the POI screen shown inthe figure to a map screen displaying a map over the entire screen.

Further, it is possible to display a route (track) of the user'smovement in the map window 153. This is obtained by plotting positionalinformation included in action history over the map. As a result, theuser can find out the route he/she followed.

Furthermore, a picture image taken by the user can be laid out in themap window 153. Since the shooting time is attached to data of thepicture image taken by the user, by matching this shooting time to thetime information contained in the action history, the site at which thepicture image was shot can be identified. Moreover, the system can be soconstituted that after the user lays out a thumbnail of the pictureimage taken on the map, if the user taps the thumbnail, the capturedpicture image will pop up.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart to explain the procedure by which the userregisters on the contents server 2 from the user terminal 3. Operationof the user terminal 3 is performed by the CPU 58 in the control unit 56in FIG. 5, and operation of the contents server 2 is performed by theCPU thereof.

First, at the user terminal 3, the user inputs the URL (Uniform ResourceLocator) of the contents server 2 on the browser and gains access to thecontents server 2 (step S5). In response to this, the contents server 2transmits a top page to the user terminal 3 (step S40).

The top page is arranged so that new registration or login can beselected, and in the present case, new registration is selected (stepS10). Then, a signal indicating the selection of new registration istransmitted from the user terminal 3 to the contents server 2. Thecontents server 2, upon receiving this signal, transmits a personalinformation input page to the user terminal 3 (step S45).

Specified items (personal information, such as name and e-mail address)and the password set by the user are entered into the personalinformation input page displayed at the user terminal 3. By clicking thetransmission button displayed on the page, the personal informationinput by the user is transmitted to the contents server 2 (step S15).

The contents server 2, upon receiving the personal information from theuser terminal 3, temporarily stores it in the RAM or the like, thentransmits a rental information input page to the user terminal 3 (stepS50). The user inputs the rental information specified by the rentalinformation input page displayed by the user terminal 3, and transmitsit to the contents server 2 (step S20).

The contents server 2 receives the rental information from the userterminal 3 and temporarily stores it in the RAM or the like. Next, thecontents server 2 issues a user ID to the user and transmits it to theuser terminal 3.

Then, the contents server 2 transmits a confirmation page to the userterminal 3 to confirm the issued user ID and password (step S55). Theuser confirms the user ID and password at the user terminal 3 and keepsa copy of them. After confirmation, the user transmits a signalindicating the user's confirmation of the user ID and password to thecontents server 2 by clicking a confirmation completion button shown onthe page (step S25).

The contents server 2, upon receiving this signal, transmits a personalinformation and rental information confirmation page to the userterminal 3 (step S60). The user reads out the personal information andrental information confirmation page and confirms the personalinformation and the rental information. After confirmation, the usertransmits a signal indicating the user's confirmation of the personalinformation and rental information to the contents server 2 by clickingthe confirmation completion button shown on the page (step S30).

The contents server 2, upon receiving this signal, stores the personalinformation and rental information stored in the RAM or the like in themember database 41 (step S65). The above-mentioned procedures completenew registration processing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart to explain the procedure of previewing the tourguide contents. It is assumed that the user's membership registrationhas already been completed. Now, access is gained to the contents server2 from the user terminal 3 (step S100). In response, the contents server2 transmits a top page to the user terminal 3 (step S120).

The user selects login on the top page displayed by the user terminal 3,inputs his/her user ID and password into prescribed columns, andtransmits them to the contents server 2 (step S102). The contents server2 receives the user ID and password from the user terminal 3, andauthenticates the user using this data (step S122).

The contents server 2, upon completing authentication of the user,transmits a selected page to the user terminal 3 (step S124). Theselected page is so designed that either a preview or customizing of thetour guide contents can be selected. The user terminal 3 receives theselected page from the contents server 2 and displays it on the displayunit 64.

When the user selects preview on the selection screen, the user terminal3 transmits a selection signal indicating selection of preview to thecontents server 2 (step S104). The contents server 2 receives theselection signal indicating selection of preview and transmits a previewpage to the user terminal 3 (step S126).

The user terminal 3 receives the preview page from the contents server 2and displays it on the display unit 64. On the preview page there isdisplayed a guide screen of the tour guide contents in the samecondition as displayed on the electronic guide apparatus 10 (conditionof FIG. 10).

The user is able to operate the tour guide contents through the guidescreen of the user terminal 3 by simulating the operation of theelectronic guide apparatus 10. In that regard, rather than tapping anicon on the electronic guide apparatus 10, the user actuates the icon onthe guide screen by clicking on it with a mouse. The guide screenchanges in the same manner whether operated from the user terminal 3 orfrom the electronic guide apparatus 10. Namely, the operation of thetour guide contents at the electronic guide apparatus 10 may bepracticed beforehand at the user terminal 3.

First, when operating the tour guide contents on the guide screen byclicking an icon, the user terminal 3 transmits a signal indicating theoperation contents to the contents server 2 (step S106). The contentsserver 2 receives a signal indicating the operation contents andperforms processing to execute the operation contents (step S128). Thecontents server 2 then generates a guide screen (a screen afterexecution of the operation contents) displaying the result of executionprocessing and transmits it to the user terminal 3 (step S130).

The user terminal 3 receives the guide screen after execution of theoperation contents and displays it on the display unit 64 (step S108).Through this screen, the user finds out how the guide screen changes(transitions) by his/her operation.

If operation of the tour guide contents is not completed (step S110;N),processing is returned to step 5106 and operation of the tour guidecontents is continued. If operation of the tour guide contents is to beended (step S110;Y), an end button on the preview page is clicked. Then,the user terminal 3 transmits an end signal to the contents server 2indicating the end of the preview (step S112). The contents server 2receives this end signal and ends the preview (step S132).

In the above-mentioned examples, the tour guide contents are operated bythe contents server 2. In addition, it may be so arranged that the tourguide contents are transmitted to the user terminal 3, and the userterminal 3 thus operates the tour guide contents.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart to explain the procedure of customizing tourguide contents. It is assumed that the user's membership registrationhas already been made. Now, access is gained to the contents server 2from the user terminal 3 (step S150). In response to this, the contentsserver 2 transmits a top page to the user terminal 3 (step S170).

The user selects login on the top page displayed by the user terminal 3,inputs his/her user ID and password into prescribed columns, andtransmits them to the contents server 2 (step S152). The contents server2 receives the user ID and password from the user terminal 3, andauthenticates the user using this data (step S172).

The contents server 2, upon completing authentication of the user,transmits a selected page to the user terminal 3 (step S174). Theselected page is so designed that either preview or customizing of thetour guide contents can be selected. The user terminal 3 receives theselected page from the contents server 2 and displays it on the displayunit 64.

When the user selects customizing on the selection screen, the userterminal 3 transmits a selection signal indicating the selection ofcustomizing to the contents server 2 (step S154). The contents server 2receives the selection signal indicating the selection of customizingand transmits a customizing page to the user terminal 3 (step S176).

The user terminal 3 receives the customizing page from the contentsserver 2 and displays it on the display unit 64. On the customizing pagethere is displayed a guide screen of the tour guide contents, and theuser performs operations thereon, such as writing memo information,making a favorite registration, and setting a route.

On the customized page, the user performs operations, such as writingmemo information, and when the tour guide contents are changed, the userterminal 3 transmits a signal indicating the contents of the changedoperation to the contents server 2 (step S156). This signal contains thecontents of the added memo information as well.

The contents server 2 receives a signal indicating the contents of thischanged operation and temporarily stores them in the RAM or the like(step S178). The contents server 2 then generates a screen displayingthe changed contents and transmits it to the user terminal 3 (stepS180).

The user terminal 3 receives an after-change screen and displays it onthe display unit 64 (step S158). If the change operation is not to beended (step S160;N), processing is returned to step 5156 and theoperation for changing is continued. If the change operation is to beended (step S160;Y), a save button shown on the customizing page isclicked.

Then, the user terminal 3 transmits a save signal to indicateconfirmation of the changed contents to the contents server 2 (stepS162). The contents server 2, upon receiving the save signal, confirmsthe changed operation contents temporarily stored in the RAM or thelike, customizes the tour guide contents for the use of the user, storesthe contents in the prescribed database (step S182), and ends theprocessing. Namely, these operations include storing memo informationinput by the user, a favorite registration and the like in the userinformation database 43, and in the event of the user information beingconnected to the guide information, storing the information regardingthe connection.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart to explain the procedure of downloading the tourguide contents from the contents server 2. The operations mentionedbelow are performed by the CPU of the contents server 2 and the CPU ofthe business terminal 4. First, the tour guide dealer, by inputting theprescribed URL in the browser, gains access to the contents server 2from the business terminal 4 (step S200).

On the other hand, the contents server 2 transmits a login page to thebusiness terminal 4 for use by the tour guide dealer (step S230). Thetour guide dealer inputs the dealer's ID and password on the login pagedisplayed on the business terminal 4 and transmits them to the contentsserver 2 (step S205). The contents server 2 receives the dealer's ID andpassword and authenticates the tour guide dealer (step S235).

Upon completing authentication of the tour guide dealer, the contentsserver 2 transmits a downloaded page to the business terminal 4 (step5240). Next, the tour guide dealer inputs the user ID of a specific userinto the downloaded page displayed on the business terminal 4 andtransmits the user ID to the contents server 2 (step S210).

The contents server 2 receives the user ID from the business terminal 4,searches the guide information selected by the user and the userinformation created by the user in the guide information database 41 andthe user information database 43, creates the tour guide contents foruse by the user, and transmits the contents to the business terminal 4(step S245).

The tour guide dealer stores the tour guide contents downloaded from thecontents server 2 in the memory medium 9 (step S215) and completesdownload processing of the tour guide contents.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart to explain the procedure of uploading tour recordinformation from the business terminal 4 to the contents server 2.First, the tour guide dealer obtains the memory medium 9 from the userwho finished his/her tour and reads out the tour guide contentstherefrom using the business terminal 4 (step S300). Next, the businessterminal 4 extracts the tour record information from the tour guidecontents which have been read (step S305). Note that action history isincluded in the tour record information.

Now, the business terminal 4 gains access to the contents server 2 (stepS310). In response to this, the contents server 2 transmits a login pageto the business terminal 4 for use by the tour guide dealer (step S330).The tour guide dealer inputs his/her dealer ID and password on the loginpage displayed on the business terminal 4 and transmits them to thecontents server 2 (step S315).

The contents server 2 receives the dealer's ID and password from thebusiness terminal 4 and authenticates both (step S335). Upon completionof authentication, the contents server 2 transmits an uploaded page tothe business terminal 4 (step S340). At the business terminal 4, thetour guide dealer inputs the user ID of the user into the uploaded pagetransmitted from the contents server 2, while at the same time attachingthe tour record information extracted at step S305 thereto andtransmitting both to the contents server 2 (step S320).

The contents server 2 receives the uploaded page having the tour recordinformation attached thereto, connects the tour record information tothe user ID listed on the uploaded page, and stores these data in thetour record information database 44 (step S345), thus completing theprocessing.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a preview screen displayed onthe display unit 64 of the user terminal 3. This preview screen isdisplayed by using a preview function provided on the customized page.Namely, when a prescribed operation is performed on the customized page,the preview screen can be displayed.

It should be noted that for previewing the tour guide contents on theuser terminal 3, if the user terminal 3 requires an emulator, this is tobe downloaded beforehand from the contents server 2 and installed.

The tour guide contents displayed on the preview screen may be operatedby the user terminal 3 in the same way as using the electronic guideapparatus 10. On the electronic guide apparatus 10, an icon on thescreen is tapped, whereas on the preview screen, the same operation canbe performed by clicking the icon with the mouse 66.

In this manner, by registering the user ID, the tour guide contentsapplied for can be previewed from a personal computer at home and thelike. This makes it possible to confirm at home the tour guide contents,applications and the like to be received at the airport counter 8 on theday of starting a tour. Consequently, it is possible to learn how tooperate the system.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a customized page. Thecustomized page has a memo button 160, a favorite button 161, a routesetting button 162, a save button 163, and a display unit area 165.Above the display unit area 165 there is displayed the user ID of theuser as “Member No. 12345” with a further display of a course name, the“Basic, Hello Express, specialized in Golf,” of the guide informationselected by the user.

On the display unit area 165, there is displayed the same screen as thescreen display on the display unit 92 of the electronic guide apparatus10. While watching this screen, the user can customize the tour guidecontents. The memo button 160, the favorite button 161, and the routesetting button 162 are buttons for respectively setting memoinformation, a favorite registration and a route.

The memo button 160 is a button generating memo information, and thismemo information can be connected to a POI. For example, if it isdesired to set memo information in the POI 166 displayed on the map ofthe display unit area 165, the user clicks and selects the icon showingthis POI, then clicks the memo button 160. A text input dialog box willpop up to receive an input of memo information. The user may input“Lunch Here !!!” and the like in the text input dialog box and click asetting button displayed on the dialog box. As a result, the text data“Lunch Here!!!” will be set as memo information in the POI 166. The setmemo information is displayed on the map as a memo display 167.

Once memo information has been created it maybe deleted or its contentsmay be rewritten. By using this memo function, it is possible to writeinformation in the guide information before the tour. This enables theuser to do without fail during the tour what he/she wanted to do beforethe tour.

When the favorite button 161 is clicked, the favorite mark 168 performsa toggle operation. That is, whenever the favorite button 161 isclicked, the favorite mark 168 repeatedly alternates between aregistered state and a non-registered state. By clicking the favoritebutton 161 to put a favorite mark 168 in the registered state, thecurrently displayed page (POI information) can be registered as afavorite.

By utilizing the favorite registration function, the user can put afavorite mark on a POI he/she likes or a POI to be checked. This makesit possible to store shops to be visited during the tour in the tourguide contents. By clicking a page forward/backward button 169, aprevious page or a next page can be turned to and other pages can becustomized as well.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example when setting a route on acustomized screen. In the case of route setting, after a route settingbutton 162 is clicked, two sites on the map are clicked in the order ofa departure site and a destination site.

Then, the contents server 2 calculates the best route, which isdisplayed on the map with an arrow as illustrated. By utilizing theroute setting function, it is possible to set a plurality of routes inadvance. Hence, a tour can be started quicker than searching for a routeafter arrival at the site.

After setting memo information, favorite registrations, and routes foreach page according to the above-mentioned procedures, the save button163 is clicked. Then, a signal for confirming the set of contents istransmitted to the contents server 2, whereas the contents server 2confirms and holds the contents set by the user. In this way, customizedtour guide contents are transmitted and stored on the web by theabove-mentioned setting of the memo information, favorite registrationsand routes, thus enabling the user's personal and original tour guidecontents to be taken to the destination.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of an album page. The album pageessentially comprises a map display unit 181, a photo listing unit 185,a photo affix button 182, a history display button 183, a write memobutton 184, a page forward/backward button 190 and the like.

In the map display unit 181, there is displayed a map corresponding toan area the user moved to during the tour. The area the user moved to isdeduced from the user's action history. In the photo listing unit 185,there is displayed a series of picture image data taken by the user inthe area. The picture image data taken by the user in the area isspecified by matching the shooting time of the picture image data to thetime included in the action history.

After selecting any of the picture images displayed in the photo listingunit 185 by clicking on the picture image, the photo affix button 182 isclicked. As a result, the picture image is displayed on the shooing siteon the map, as shown, for example, with picture images 187 and 188. Theshooting position is determined from the shooting time of the pictureimage data and the time included in the action history.

Further, by dragging and dropping a picture image displayed in the photolisting unit 185 onto the map, it is possible to arrange a picture imageon the map. In this case, the shooting position determined from theshooting time of the picture image data and the time included in theaction history may be different from the position selected by the dragand drop operation.

When the history display button 183 is clicked, a route the user movedthrough is displayed as an arrow 189. This route is calculated from theaction history. After clicking a site on the map, if the write memobutton 184 is clicked, a write memo dialog box pops up and inputs memoinformation on the clicked site. The input memo information is displayedon the map as a written memo 186. By clicking the page forward/backwardbutton 190, the page moves to a preceding or succeeding album page, andediting can be performed in the same way.

By utilizing an album page in this way, namely, by affixing photospersonally taken by the user onto a map prepared in advance, showing theuser's route in terms of an arrow automatically added to the actionhistory, and writing memo information, the user can create a personalalbum full of memories.

In the present preferred embodiment, the system is configured so thatthe picture image data taken by the built-in camera 94 of the electronicguide apparatus 10 is affixed to the album, but the present invention isnot limited to this application. It is possible to use picture imagedata taken by a general-purpose digital camera to create an album pageso long as the shooting day and time are recorded. By synchronizing timeinformation from the digital camera with positional information and timeinformation obtained from the GPS 11, the same function as the built-incamera 94 can be realized.

In this case, the memory medium 9 is received from the user at theairport counter 8, while, subject to the user's approval, picture imagedata recorded in the user's digital camera is copied into the memorymedium 9 which is forwarded to the tour guide dealer. When utilizing auser's general-purpose digital camera, in addition to copying pictureimage data into the memory medium 9 and the like, there is anothermethod whereby the user transmits the picture image data to the contentsserver 2 from his/her home terminal.

Further, in the present preferred embodiment, the user terminal 3, thebusiness terminal 4, and the contents server 2 are configured so as tobe connected via the Internet 5. Be that as it may, it is by no meanslimited to this. There may be a configuration based on a LAN (Local AreaNetwork) or WAN (Wide Area Network), an optical communications network,a network via a communication satellite or a combination of two or moreof these.

Still further, in the present preferred embodiment, a PDA (PersonalDigital Assistant) is used as the electronic guide apparatus 10. Inaddition, other configurations maybe established by using a notebookpersonal computer with a built-in camera, a digital camera, a cellularphone and the like.

In the first preferred embodiment mentioned above, the following effectsare expected. First, tour guide contents to be used at the destinationcan be previewed on the web using a unique user ID for the user to login. This enables the user to confirm what is contained in the tour guidecontents while making tour preparations.

Further, while making tour preparations, memo information can be writtenconcurrently with confirming what is in the contents, so that the tourguide contents are passed on to the user with the memo informationwritten thereto. As if the user has written a memo on a bookmark andaffixed it to the tour guidebook, the user can add memo information tothe tour guide contents at the time of preview (bookmark creationfunction). The input memo information is reflected when the electronicguide apparatus 10 is used at an overseas destination and the like.

Still further, before and during the tour, a POI can be registered as afavorite. Also, before and during the tour, the best route can besearched from the destination and departure sites. A track of the user'smovements during the tour may be stored as an action history and read(movement history confirmation function). Also, by showing the user'strack on the map through the use of the action history, it is possibleto insert it on the web.

Furthermore, the user's movement track is left on the map and may besynchronized with a picture image taken by the digital camera using thetime as a key. Also, a picture image can be inserted by the user on theweb (album page creation function). Namely, the movement track duringthe tour and the picture image data can be synchronized so that they canbe stored and read. As mentioned above, in the present preferredembodiment, the user can enjoy traveling not only during the tour butalso before and after the tour.

Moreover, there are other methods of applying the present preferredembodiment as follows:

(1) Positional Information Sharing Function

When engaged in group action in a group tour, it is possible to transmitpositional information from one GPS 11 to a plurality of electronicguide apparatus 10, thus sharing positional information by a pluralityof electronic guide apparatus 10. Consequently, it is not necessary foreach person to carry his/her GPS 11.

(2) Information Exchange Function

By utilizing information exchange communications among terminals, it ispossible to exchange a user's action history, guide information based onexperience and the like among a plurality of terminals during the tour.In this way, information obtained at a destination can be disclosed toother users. Also, action history and additional user information(favorite route setting, memo and the like) can be shared among aplurality of the electronic guide apparatus 10 during the tour. Note,however, that reproduction of the contents created by the tour agent isrestricted.

(3) Radio Update Function by Ground Wave Digital Data Broadcast

By building a ground wave digital tuner integrally in the electronicguide apparatus 10, it is possible to acquire the latest guideinformation by receiving data broadcast when the tuner is used at thedestination. This enables the user to acquire the latest tour guidecontents during the tour.

(4) Radio Update Function by Wireless LAN

By incorporating a wireless LAN function in the electronic guideapparatus 10, it is possible to receive data and acquire the latest tourguide contents indoors and inside aircraft.

(5) Indoor Navigation Function

By inputting the current site and the destination, the best route can bedisplayed on an indoor map. In this way, even in indoor areas such as anairport and a shopping mall, the best route to the destination can beacquired with no need to rely on a sketch or a guideboard.

Variation of the First Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a network configurationaccording to a present variation. The present variation essentiallycomprises a tour guide system with the addition of a community server 6.The airport counter 8, the rental equipment 15 and the like are notillustrated therein.

The community server 6 is server equipment providing a communityoperating function. A community is, for example, managed in anelectronic bulletin board style, and e-mail transmitted by the user isadded to the electronic bulletin board. The present variation is sodesigned that reading of the electronic bulletin board is limited tomembers only. But it may be so arranged that no limitation is imposed sothat it is open to the public.

The community is managed, for example, according to an area, such asHawaii or Rome, or according to a genre, such as gourmet food orshopping. Information regarding the destination is e-mailed to thecommunity to enable the information to be available to users visitingthe destination, or questions are inserted on the electronic bulletinboard to obtain the opinions of other users.

Use of the community server 6 makes it possible to disclose an albumpage, a photo, a tour diary and the like among users. With thisfunction, the tour diaries of other users can be referred to, or a tourdiary contest can be held by voting, adding more to the post-tour fun ofthe users. This also makes it possible to use the community operation todraw customers the next time.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic bulletin boardinserted on the community server 6. Contributions from a plurality ofusers can be read on the electronic bulletin board. Although notillustrated, the user can also disclose his/her own album page, photosand the like thereon. Further, the services offered by the communityserver 6 are not limited to the electronic bulletin board, and, forexample, chat and other formats can also be furnished. Still further,the information inserted in the community server 6 may be managed by thetour guide dealers who conduct the rentals and the sales of theinformation.

Second Preferred Embodiment

In a second preferred embodiment, the user attaches a memory medium 9 tothe user terminal 3 and performs downloading (before the tour) of thetour guide contents and uploading (after the tour) of the tour recordinformation. Consequently, the business terminal 4 of the firstpreferred embodiment is not necessary.

FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram showing the system configuration of atour guide system (1 a) according to the second preferred embodiment.The tour guide system (1 a) essentially comprises a contents server 2,the Internet 5, a user terminal 3, a memory medium 9, rental equipment15 and the like. Configuration elements corresponding to the firstpreferred embodiment are given the same reference numbers and duplicateexplanations thereof are omitted.

The user terminal 3 is so designed that the memory medium 9 can beattached to a memory medium drive unit 76, and that a data read/writeoperation can be performed with respect to the memory medium 9. Userregistration in the contents server 2 and the customizing of tour guidecontents are performed in the same way as in the first preferredembodiment.

The user, after customizing the tour guide contents, downloads the tourguide contents from the contents server 2 to the user terminal 3 andwrites them in the memory medium 9. On the day of starting a tour, theuser takes the memory medium 9 in which the tour guide contents arestored to the airport. And at the airport counter 8, the user rentsrental equipment 15, attaches the memory medium 9, mounts the memorymedium 9 onto the electronic guide apparatus 10, and makes use of thetour guide contents at the destination.

When returning to Japan, for example, after the tour is over, the rentalequipment 15 is returned to the airport counter 8 and the memory medium9 is kept by the user. And after the memory medium 9 is attached to theuser terminal 3, the tour record information is extracted from thememory medium 9 and transmitted to the contents server 2.

As described above, it is no longer necessary to prepare the businessterminal 4 once the user himself/herself has downloaded the tour guidecontents and uploaded the tour record information. Further, if the userhas his/her own electronic guide apparatus 10 and the GPS 11, there isno need to rent the rental equipment 15 at the airport counter 8.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the user terminal 3when the user uploads the tour record information to the contents server2. Clicking a “Yes” button therein starts uploading from the memorymedium 9 to the contents server 2, and the uploading status is displayedby a display bar.

In the second preferred embodiment described above, all that is requiredof the business terminal 4 is to manage the contents server 2, and thereis no need to download the tour guide contents to the memory medium 9and upload the tour record information to the contents server 2. Inaddition, the user can acquire the tour guide contents directly from theuser terminal 3. Further, the system may be configured so that the usercan own the electronic guide apparatus 10. In such circumstances, thereare two cases: downloading from the contents server 2 via the Internet 5by the user terminal 3; and downloading by connecting an electronicguide apparatus 10 having an Internet connection function directly tothe Internet 5.

Third Preferred Embodiment

Tour guidebooks are published by a plurality of publishers in variousforms. Accordingly, there is a plurality of guide information even forthe same subject. Each tour guidebook has its own characteristics. Atourist takes to the destination a tour guidebook which carries the kindof information he/she wants or a tour guidebook that meets his/her hobbyor taste.

Nonetheless, the tour guidebook of company A may have good informationon restaurants, while another tour guidebook by company B may be full ofhotel information, for example. Since each tour guidebook has its ownidea about sufficient information, it is difficult for one tourguidebook to cover all of the information desired by all tourists.

Consequently, the tourist has to take to the destination and carryaround a thick tour guidebook which provides a lot of information thathas no bearing on his/her tour. For example, when looking for arestaurant, the tourist may take a tour guidebook for restaurants out ofhis/her baggage and search for the restaurant, and when looking for astadium, the tourist may take out another tour guidebook for stadiumsand look for the stadium. In this way, depending on the use, the userhas to utilize various kinds of tour guidebooks.

Now, in a third preferred embodiment, categories such as restaurants,hotels, and duty free shops are included in POI information, and theproviders of the POI information are listed as an attribute. Forexample, for restaurants, the POI information offered by company A maybe adopted, while for hotels, the POI information provided by company Bmay be employed. In this way, POI information is selected perinformation provider, and the guide information is customized.

The third preferred embodiment will be described below with reference tothe drawings. The network configuration of the third preferredembodiment is the same as the first preferred embodiment, hence, thesame configuration elements as the first preferred embodiment, such as acontents server 2, a user terminal 3, and a business terminal 4, aregiven the same reference numbers and descriptions.

FIG. 24 is a table showing an example of a logical composition of thePOI information stored in a guide information database 42. Asillustrated, the POI information comprises items such as an Item ID 251,an information provider 252, an update date 253, a country name 254, acity name 255, a main classification 256, a middle classification 257, asub classification 258, a Japanese name 259, text information 260, aphoto ad and coupon 261, latitude 262, and longitude 263.

The Item ID 251 is a unique number given to each POI (restaurants,hotels and the like). Each POI can be identified by the Item ID 251. Theinformation provider 252 is the publisher of a tour guidebook which isthe source of information on the POI. Also, the information provider 252furnishes information on information sources to specify the source ofthe POI information.

In the present preferred embodiment, since the POI information iscreated from tour guidebooks published by a plurality of publishers, insome cases there are a plurality of information providers for a singlePOI. Hence, when there is information on a single POI from a pluralityof information providers, the user can make a comparison. It should benoted that in the present preferred embodiment, classification is madeon the basis of the information provider, but it is not limited to this.Classification may be made per media, such as per book.

The update date 253 represents the latest date the information has beenupdated. Listing the update date for each POI information facilitatesupdating old information to new information in regard to the same ItemID. Further, it is possible to indicate on the map the informationhaving the newest update date. By providing the POI information with theupdate date 253 in this manner, the user can always get the latestinformation.

Use of the update date 253 this way enables the POI information on thecontents server 2 to be updated easily, so that whenever the tour guidecontents are downloaded from the contents server, the POI informationwill the most recent. Also, as overseas radio communicationinfrastructure improves, real-time updating to the latest informationwill become possible.

The country name 254 and the city name 255 stand for the name of thecountry and the name of the city where the POI exists. The mainclassification 256, middle classification 257, and sub classification258 are, respectively, the POI classifications of the tour guidebookoffered by the information provider, although some do not have theseclassifications depending on the information source. In that case, thecode is provided at the time of producing the contents. The mainclassification 256, the middle classification 257, and the subclassification 258 are contents information to be classified accordingto the contents.

The Japanese name 259 is a Japanese writing of a name of the POI. If thePOI is a restaurant, it corresponds to the restaurant name in Japanese.The text information 260 is commentary information on the POI andinformation in characters regarding the address, telephone number,business hours and the like of the POI.

The photo ad and coupon 261 is not restricted to what is obtained fromthe tour guidebook, but, for example, what the POI offered for the tourguide contents is equally usable. The latitude 262 and the longitude 263are positional information showing, respectively, the latitude andlongitude of the current site of the POI.

As mentioned above, having information together from a plurality ofinformation providers makes it possible to provide to the userinformation composed of different contents with regard to a store on thesame latitude and longitude. As a result, the user can display and readdifferent information from the information providers on the same mapdepending on his/her hobbies and tastes; for example, information fromthe provider A may be used for restaurant information, while informationfrom the provider B may be used for shopping information. Further,information from different information providers regarding a singlestore can be read and the listed contents (photos, ads, coupons) can becompared.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a selection page to bedisplayed on the user terminal 3 when selecting the informationproviders. The information provider selection pages include POIinformation categories in a horizontal row, while the informationproviders are disposed in a vertical column. For the POI informationcategory to be selected, the middle classification 257 (FIG. 24) of thePOI information is used.

By clicking with a mouse operation a square formed by the intersectionof a category of the POI information and an information provider, theuser can select an information provider for that category. A selectedstate is shown with a circle in the drawing, and the selected state issubject to a toggle operation. For example, as the user clicks the samesquare, selection and selection cancel are alternately performed.

An example of the selection process is as follows. The POI informationof the provider A is used for restaurants, the POI information of theprovider B is used for hotels and museums, and the POI information ofthe provider C is used for duty free shops. In the above-mentionedsetting, if the preview/customizing means generates the tour guidecontents for the user, the POI information of the provider A in regardto restaurants, the POI information of the provider B in regard tohotels and museums, and the POI information of the provider C in regardto duty free shops are inserted in the tour guide contents. Namely, theuser acquires information to specify a combination (combinedinformation) of the information provider with the category set by theuser terminal, and uses this combined information to focus on the POIinformation. Accordingly, the preview/customizing means 34 essentiallycomprises combined information acquisition means, focusing means, guidecontents generation means, and contents output means.

The tour guide contents thus generated are displayed on the previewpage. Then, for example, suppose that the POI information of theprovider A is selected with respect to restaurants, the POI informationof the provider B is selected with respect to hotels and museums, andthe POI information of the provider C is selected with respect to dutyfree shops. In that case, an icon representing the POI information ofthe provider A for restaurants, an icon representing the POI informationof the provider B for hotels and museums, and an icon representing thePOI information of the provider C for duty free shops are laid out onthe map using positional information.

In this manner, information of different information providers can beselectively displayed for reading on the same map. When the restauranticon is tapped on the map, the POI information of the provider Aregarding the restaurant is displayed. Further, if the tour guidecontents are displayed on the electronic guide apparatus 10, the samedisplay as the preview page appears.

FIG. 26 shows where an ad page by the photo ad and coupon 261 isdisplayed on the display unit 92 of the electronic guide apparatus 10.The ad page, for example, is displayed when the ad button 156 (FIG. 10)is tapped. As illustrated, the ad page also can be registered as afavorite, and a favorite mark 200 can be set. When the return button 223or the page backward button 222 is tapped, the page prior to displayingthe ad page appears. Also, when the page forward button 221 is tapped,the page subsequent to the ad page appears.

As described above, according to the present preferred embodiment, thefollowing effects can be delivered. The POI information can beselectively displayed per provider with respect to categories.Accordingly, information of different information providers can bedisplayed for reading on the same map depending on the user's hobbiesand tastes. Further, it is possible to read information of differentinformation providers regarding the same shop and compare what islisted.

Still further, by using the update date attached to the POI information,management of the POI information so as to keep it as new as possible atall times can be facilitated. Advertising information from the tourguidebook can be attached to the POI information. In addition, it ispossible to have an advertising frame from a store itself in the POIinformation.

Fourth Preferred Embodiment

In a fourth preferred embodiment, the electronic guide apparatus 10 hasthe POI information of each information provider based on the logicalconstruction shown in FIG. 24, and the user selects on the electronicguide apparatus 10 the POI information for a category based on theinformation provider.

When selecting an information provider on the electronic guide apparatus10, the same information provider selection page as shown in FIG. 25 isdisplayed on the display unit 92 of the electronic guide apparatus 10.For example, by tapping with a finger tip a square formed byintersecting lines from a POI information category and an informationprovider, the user can select an information provider for that category.

In the same way as the third preferred embodiment, the POI informationof the provider A may be selected regarding restaurants, the POIinformation of the provider B may be selected regarding hotels andmuseums, and the POI information of the provider C maybe selectedregarding duty free shops. In this case, an icon displayed on the map ofthe guide screen becomes an icon of the POI information of the providerA as regards restaurants, it becomes an icon of the POI information ofthe provider B as regards hotels and museums, and it becomes an icon ofthe POI information of the provider C as regards duty free shops.Further, when the restaurant icon is tapped on the map, the POIinformation of the provider A regarding the restaurant is displayed.

FIGS. 27A and 27B are diagrams for explaining conceptually a case ofselectively displaying the POI information of different informationproviders on the guide screen of the electronic guide apparatus 10. FIG.27A shows a map 270, a layer 271 displaying an icon of the provider A, alayer 272 displaying an icon of the provider B, and a layer 273displaying an icon of the provider C.

Each layer is a transparent sheet, and each information provider can putits icon on display or out of display on respective sheets. For example,of the POI information offered by the provider A, suppose thatrestaurants are set on display and other categories (hotels, duty freeshops and the like) are set out of display. On the layer 271, of theicons regarding the POI information offered by the provider A, thoseicons regarding hotels are displayed, while those icons belonging toother categories are not displayed.

As described above, the icons of restaurants (POI information offered bythe provider A) are displayed on the layer 271, the icons of hotels (POIinformation offered by the provider B) are displayed on the layer 272,and the icons of duty free shops (POI information offered by theprovider C) are displayed on the layer 273. When the map 270 is lookedat through each layer, as shown in FIG. 27B, icons indicating the POIinformation of a plurality of information providers are selectivelydisplayed on one map.

Namely, on the map shown in FIG. 27B, the icons regarding restaurantscorrespond to the POI information offered by the provider A, the iconsregarding hotels correspond to the POI information offered by theprovider B, and the icons regarding duty free shops correspond to thePOI information offered by the provider C.

In the electronic guide apparatus 10, the above mentioned setup isutilized to display selectively on the guide screen the POI informationof the information providers, so that when the user makes a selection bytapping an icon, the POI information corresponding to the icon comes ondisplay. These functions operate as the CPU 86 of the electronic guideapparatus 10 performs in accordance with the control software of thetour guide contents. The electronic guide apparatus 10 is provided withmeans for acquiring combined information of information providers andcategories, focusing means for narrowing down the POI information by thecombined information, matching means for matching positional informationof the POI information to positional information on the map, and displaymeans for laying out the POI information on the map and displaying it.Further, the electronic guide apparatus 10 includes contents utilizationmeans for using the tour guide contents by activating the controlsoftware.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of selectivelydisplaying an icon per information provider. It should be noted that theprocedure described below is performed by the CPU 86 (FIG. 6) accordingto the control software stored in the control software directory 107(FIG. 7). Further, in the following description, as shown on the rightside of the flowchart, serial numbers from 0 to m are attached toinformation providers. A code k is set for this. Also, serial numbersfrom 0 to n are given to categories, and a code l is set for this.

First, assume k=0, l=0, and the CPU 86 initializes k and l (step S405).Next, the CPU 86 selects the k-th layer (step S410). Then the CPU 86accesses a memory medium that stores an item selected by the userthrough an information provider selection screen and determines at thek-th layer whether an icon is set for display at the l-th category (stepS415).

If there is a display setting (step S415;Y), the CPU 86 displays on theguide screen an icon belonging to the category from among the POIinformation of the information provider to which the layer belongs (stepS435). If there is no display setting (step S415;N), the CPU 86 does notdisplay an icon (step S435). Next, the CPU 86 increases the code l byone increment (step S425).

Now, the CPU 86 determines whether the code l is under n, and if thecode l is under n (step S430;Y), the process is returned to step S415and processing continues. If the code l is not under n (step S430;N),the code k is increased by one increment (step S440). Then, the CPU 86determines whether the code k is under m, and if the code k is under m(step S445;Y), the process is returned to step S410 and processingcontinues. If the code k is not under m (step S445;N), processing iscompleted.

By the above-mentioned processing, the electronic guide apparatus 10 canselectively provide POI information regarding an information provider.As a result, the user can read and display on the same map informationof different information providers depending on his/her hobbies andtastes.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements maybe devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

For example, one unit of the GPS 11 can be shared by a plurality ofelectronic guide apparatus 10. When traveling in a group, so long as onemember of the group carries the GPS 11, all that is required of otherusers is to carry only the electronic guide apparatus 10.

Further, although the present embodiment is marked by the use of a PDAas an electronic guide apparatus, it is not limited to the PDA. Forexample, a notebook personal computer, a digital camera, a digital videocamera, and a cellular phone (typically equipped with a liquid crystaldisplay), and any other device having a CPU and a display screen may beused with equally excellent results.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, tour guide contents are used asan example, but it is not limited to such example. So long asinformation is selectively displayed according to category and otherattribute information, other devices are quite serviceable. For example,some book reviews comprise reviews of a plurality of critics in regardto the same book. Take, for instance, mystery and detective stories. Areview on mystery stories by a critic A can be displayed, while a reviewby a critic B is displayed on detective stories.

According to the present invention, a tourist can enhance the value oftraveling. Additional objects, advantages and novel features of theinvention will become more apparent to the user upon examination of thefollowing or may be learned by practice of the invention.

1. A guide system for generating guide contents from site information,contents information and information on information sources attached tothe site information, the guide system comprising: a terminal; acontents server connectable to said terminal by a network; and aportable device carried by a user; said terminal comprising: informationsetting means for setting a combination of the information oninformation sources and the contents information, and informationtransmitting means for transmitting information specifying the setcombination to said contents server; said contents server comprising:information receiving means for receiving the information transmitted bysaid information transmitting means, site information focusing means fornarrowing down the site information using the received information,guide contents generating means for generating guide contents using thenarrowed down site information, and guide contents output means foroutputting the generated guide contents; and said portable devicecomprising: guide contents acquisition means for acquiring the outputguide contents, and contents utilizing means for using the acquiredguide contents.
 2. A portable device which utilizes information oninformation sources, contents information, and site informationincluding positional information specifying a position of a site, saidportable device comprising: information acquisition means for acquiringinformation specifying a combination of the information on informationsources and the contents information; focusing means for narrowing downthe site information using the acquired information; matching means formatching the positional information included with the site informationto positional information on a map for each site to produce a map/sitematch for each site; and display means for displaying the siteinformation on the map using the narrowed down site information and themap/site match for each site.
 3. The portable device according to claim2, wherein: said display means displays the site information on the mapusing an icon corresponding to the site information.
 4. The portabledevice according to claim 3, wherein said display means displays thesite information corresponding to the icon.
 5. An information processingsystem for generating guide contents from site information, informationon information sources and contents information, the system comprising:a processor operable to execute instructions; and instructions, theinstructions including: acquiring information specifying a combinationof the information on information sources and the contents information;narrowing down the site information using the acquired information;generating guide contents using the narrowed down site information; andoutputting the generated guide contents.
 6. The information processingsystem according to claim 5, wherein: the site information includes sitepositional information, and the guide contents generating step generatesthe guide contents using map data, the map data including positionalinformation on a map for each site, the guide contents generating stepincluding laying out and displaying the site information on the map bymatching the site positional information to the positional informationon the map.
 7. The information processing system according to claim 5,wherein the instructions further include: acquiring user informationcreated by a user, and the guide contents generating step generates theguide contents by relating the acquired user information to the siteinformation.
 8. An information processing system for generating guidecontents from contents information, information on information sources,and site information including positional information specifying aposition of a site, the system comprising: a processor operable toexecute instructions; and instructions, the instructions including:acquiring information specifying a combination of the information oninformation sources and the contents information; narrowing down thesite information using the acquired information; matching the positionalinformation included with the site information to positional informationon a map for each site to produce a map/site match for each site; anddisplaying the site information on the map using the narrowed down siteinformation and the map/site match for each site.
 9. The informationprocessing system according to claim 8, wherein the displaying stepdisplays the site information on the map using an icon corresponding tothe site information.
 10. The information processing system according toclaim 9, wherein the displaying step displays the site informationcorresponding to the icon.
 11. A computer-readable memory mediumrecorded with an information processing program for generating guidecontents from site information, information on information sources andcontents information, the program comprising: acquiring informationspecifying a combination of the information on information sources andthe contents information; narrowing down the site information using theacquired information; generating guide contents using the narrowed downsite information; and outputting the generated guide contents.
 12. Thecomputer-readable memory medium according to claim 11, wherein: the siteinformation includes site positional information, and the guide contentsgenerating step generates the guide contents using map data, the mapdata including positional information on a map for each site, the guidecontents generating step including laying out and displaying the siteinformation on the map by matching the site positional information tothe positional information on the map.
 13. The computer-readable memorymedium according to claim 11, wherein the information processing programfurther includes: acquiring user information created by a user, and thecontents generating step generates the guide contents by relating theacquired user information to the site information.
 14. Acomputer-readable memory medium recorded with an information processingprogram for generating guide contents from contents information,information on information sources, and site information includingpositional information specifying a position of a site, the programcomprising: acquiring information specifying a combination of theinformation on information sources and the contents information;narrowing down the site information using the acquired information;matching the positional information included with the site informationto positional information on a map for each site to produce a map/sitematch for each site; and displaying the site information on the mapusing the narrowed down site information and the map/site match for eachsite.
 15. The computer-readable memory medium according to claim 14,wherein the displaying step displays the site information on the mapusing an icon corresponding to the site information.
 16. Thecomputer-readable memory medium according to claim 15, wherein thedisplaying step displays the site information corresponding to the icon.